Top 11 active international goalscorers: Ronaldo leads with 146
Khel Now published on 31 August 2026 a ranking of the top 11 active international goalscorers, led by Cristiano Ronaldo with 146 international goals. The list includes Lionel Messi on 125 and India’s Sunil Chhetri, who retired on 19 March 2025 after reaching 95 goals.
The article frames the list around players who have maintained scoring form for country as well as club, noting that all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the top active scorers. It states Ronaldo is the first European footballer to score 100 or more international goals and is the all-time leading active international goalscorer, while Messi has already netted over 100 for Argentina. The piece describes these players as part of the most successful striking generation and presents the top 11 active international goalscorers accordingly.
Aleksandar Mitrovic features on the list with 58 goals in 91 appearances and is identified as Serbia’s all-time goalscorer who currently plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal. Luis Suarez is listed with 69 goals for Uruguay and is described as Inter Miami’s striker and Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer. Edin Dzeko has 73 goals for Bosnia-Herzegovina and is reported to be a Fenerbahçe forward and the nation’s highest goalscorer; the article notes he is 40 years old.
Neymar is recorded as having scored 80 goals for Brazil, is described as a 34-year-old Al Hilal attacker, and is credited with two goals at Copa America 2021. Harry Kane is listed on 85 goals, described as a 33-year-old who captains England and plays club football for Bayern Munich and who recently scored his 85th international goal. Ali Mabkhout is also on 85 goals for the United Arab Emirates in 114 games and is described as a 33-year-old veteran striker.
Robert Lewandowski is shown with 89 goals in 167 matches for Poland and is described as his country’s all-time leading goalscorer; the article notes he scored three goals at Euro 2020 and that he is now with Chicago Fire after time at FC Barcelona. Romelu Lukaku is listed with 93 goals in 132 appearances for Belgium, is cited as Fenerbahçe’s striker, and is recorded as Belgium’s top scorer at Euro 2020 with four goals. Sunil Chhetri is identified as India’s record goalscorer and appearance-maker, noted as 39 when referenced; the article recounts goals he scored against Cambodia, Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Kolkata, his hat-trick against Pakistan in the SAFF Championship 2023 which took his tally to 90, and that he retired from international football on 19 March 2025 after scoring his 95th goal against Maldives.
Lionel Messi is recorded with 125 international goals for Argentina, described as a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, the top goalscorer at Copa America 2021 with four goals, winner of the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament at that competition, a 2022 World Cup winner who scored seven goals in the tournament, and a participant in Argentina’s 2024 Copa America triumph; the article states he has officially retired from his international career. Cristiano Ronaldo is described as the leading active goalscorer in international football and in football history, the only active player with more than a century of international goals, holder of 146 strikes for Portugal, the highest goal scorer in the history of the UEFA European Championships, a player for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, and 41 years old; the piece also notes he played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The article was last updated on 31 August 2026 and states that Ronaldo will continue to lead the team in upcoming major tournaments despite heading towards the final stages of his career.
